Automobile bumper



' April 3', 1928.

* J. NlcKaLs AUTOMOBILE BUMPER Filedsept. l?. 192e l *fm1 INVENTOR.

v/1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Api. s, 192s'.

UNITED STATES.

JAMES NICKELS, F -SII-NIS, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE BUMPER.

Application led September 17, 1926. Serial No. 136,106.

My invention has reference to automobile i bumpers, and has for. its purpose to fully main frame by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements. These are of a compound character, so that the force of a blow received on one side or end of the bumper frame is dissipated partly by devices `near the point of impact and partly by similar devices at a point opposite thereto and remote therefrom. By reason of the multiplicity of devices oering a united resistance to the force of the blow said devices can be made in relatively lighter form, and avoid having a' structure of heavier build, which might be too weighty and cumbersomel for practical use. The bumper comprises what might be termed a loating` frame, adapted to yieldably receive a blow from any direction.

The particular construction, arrangement, and operation of the invention will more fully appear from the following specication, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, in w ich;

Fig. 1 is a plan viewof a fragmentary part of the apparatus, shown in its application to the frame of an automobile.

Fig. 2 is a detail of o'ne of the bumper frame sections 19.

Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the shock-absorbing devices, in horizontal section.

Fig. 4 is an inner face view. of one of the c'asings 12, and parts contained therein.y Fig. 5 is a detail of the bolt 10.

The reference numbers l indicate the side` pieces of an automobile frame, of usual chanframe 6 is separated from the main frame of l the car by a plurality of. shock-absorbing devices 7 of similar construction, each comprising a bracket 8 secured to the inner plate of the vehicle frame, or to the lcross-bar 3, two of said devices being shown at the end of the frame, and two at each sid-e in the fragmentary part of the frame shown in the drawings. Each of said brackets is provided with a central sleeve portion' 9, in which is the frame 6 and are bolted thereto.

slidable a bolt 10, having a nuton its inner end and a cross-head 11 `on itsouter end. Fixed to the inner face of the plate 6 are casings`12, one for each of the brackets 8, in which casings are positioned the crossheads 11, so as to have movement longitudinally of the casings. Fixed in the ends of said casings are pairs of bolts 13, passing through openings in the cross-heads 11, and on opposite sides of .the cross-head are compression springs 14 and 15, permitting a yieldable movement of the frame 6 in a direction at right angles to the bolt 10.A A Interposed between the ends of the brackets 8 and cross-heads 11 are extensile coiled springs 16, encircling the bolts 10, and lonl the inner ends of said bolts are similar springs 17, in recesses 18 in the brackets 8. Any tendency of the frame 6 to approach the inner frame is resisted by the springs 16, and` a tendency of said frames to separate is opposed by the springs 17.

Opposite each of the wheels of the vehicle the bumper frame is provided with a detachable section 19, connected withthe frame 6 at'.each of its ends by means of bolts 20. Whenit vis necessary to get at one of said wheels, as for the purpose of changing the tire thereon, the section 19 adjacent thereto is removed, permitting free access to the Wheel. Said sections are preferably rovided attheir ends with tongues 21, w ich project on the inner faces of the ends `of By this means the 'sections 19 are flush with the'main part of said frame.

It will be evident that upon the bumper' frame receiving the impact of a blow there will bea multiple spring action to off-set the force thereof. In case of a blow at the end of the frame not only will the springs 16 at that end receive the shock but there will be a reaction on the springs 17 at the o posite end of the vehicle, and it will be Further distributed over a number ofthe springs 14 in the sides of the frame. In case of ablow on one side of the bumper there will be a compression of one or more of the springs 16 in the vicinity thereof and asimilar compression of one or more of the springs 17 on the other side of the automobile. Any

blow that the bumper may receive will there-V fore be met with a multi lied amount of yieldable'A resistance, sprea over the entire frame, instead of all being received at one point. As before mentioned, this arrangement permits of thel use of a more delicate,- systcm of shock absorblng devices, and at the completely compressed` the ends of said cross-pieces act as stops, preventing further movement of the bumper. g The end pieces 'of the bumper frame may bevaried as to form, and other changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of the device, without v'departing from the spirit of the invention, as set out herein.

What I claim, and desire to secure by i Letters Patent, is;

1.. In a device ofthe class described, an

inner frame, an outer frame encircling the same, and provided with removable sectlons,

and airs of oppositely acting shock-absorb'-f4 ing evices unltmg said frames.

2. In a device ofthe class described a shock absorbing device comprising a braciiet adapted for attachment to a relatively stal tionary frame, a casin adaptedfor attachinsaid bracket and having a head movable in said casing, ciledsprings on the ends of said bolts capable of exerting force in oppo-` site directions, and springs. in said casing lment to an auxiliary ame, a' boltvslidable 

